Emergency responders rescue several from flash flooding

EDWARDSVILLE — Emergency responders rescued two people from a car stalled in flooding near a viaduct on Illinois-143 just west of Roxana this morning. No injuries or deaths have been reported.

The Edwardsville Fire Department and EMS responded to the call at 8:18 a.m. The car and the two people in it were stuck in approximately five feet of water. Two other people nearby were trapped on high ground surrounded by floodwaters.

A little less than an hour later, the fire department and EMS responded to a mutual aid call from the South Roxana Fire Department. Two people were trapped in two separate cars stuck in floodwater on Old Alton Edwardsville Road just west of Interstate-255, where the water was approximately three feet deep.

The rescues were made using flotation devices for the victims. Rescuers used water rescue suits and ropes tied off to emergency vehicles on the scene. Victims were evaluated by paramedics following the rescues, but no further medical treatment was necessary.

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning this morning for Madison County. The warning lasts until noon. There is also an excessive heat warning for the area in place until 7 p.m. Saturday.